Today I found last week news that Howard Shore, Tan Dun, Abel Korzeniowski, Joe Hisaishi, Shigeru Umebayashi and Diego Navarro have all supported FMF and expressed concern or disapproval for the idea of cancellation of FMF.

I also found Dutchbat's comment under the article! Our Ambassador is the man! *waves musketeer hat*_________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
---
Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

What is interesting is that it contains a run-down of the costs of last year's festival.

I summarise:

Last year’s FMF cost a total of 3.5 million PLN (about 818 thousand EUR or just over 1 million USD at today’s exchange rates; last year’s rates were lower, so the costs would have been higher expressed in EUR and USD). FMF received a grant from the EU in the amount of 1 million PLN, sponsors contributed about 300 thousand PLN, and RMF (a radio station, among others, that has a classical music station that plays a lot of film music; but those of you that have attended the FMF know this I am sure) contributed 2 million in kind (advertising). Ticket sales brought in 450 thousand PLN (for comparison 300-350 thousand from the 2009 edition of the FMF). Thus, the real cost to the city of Krakow was about 1.5 million PLN.

This year, the KBF (Krakow Festival Office) is trying to get a grant of 1 million PLN from the EU (no news yet if it will happen). Talks are ongoing with sponsors, who have declared support of 500 thousand PLN. Assuming ticket sales of 400 thousand PLN to close out the revenues side. The FMF has already assumed savings this year compared to last (I guess Joe H. was expensive? Or more likely, they are planning fewer days for the festival), so it is supposed to cost 2.5 million PLN – 584 thousand EUR.

So, if the FMF gets a grant from the EU, it is only missing 600 thousand PLN in order to be organized … That is peanuts. I don’t understand what the whole fuss is about. Something tells me the festival will be on this year.

Also interesting, is they said that Nancy Knutsen (introduced as John Williams's assistant and friend) has attended past FMFs and she said that John will open his can of whoop-arse if the festival doesnt happen this year (OK, I made that up). But she definitely came out in support of the FMF.

They also said that Abel Korzeniowski is expected to appear. He is like an old friend of SST it seems ....

Dutchbat
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)

Joined: Aug 09, 2008
Member#: 22196
Posts: 1730
Location: Roosendaal

Posted:
Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:13 am Post subject:

Good old Nancy
And as you can read in our world tour forum it was already mentioned that Abel Korzeniowski would come (Krakow was his place of birth). Plan was to have his new score for the classic "Metropolis" screened and played live.

Thanks for sharing DallasTreado
As some of you would have noticed via FB I have
written a letter of protest to the City Council of Krakow explaining the importance and uniqueness of the FMF. You never know if this will have any inpact but all bits and pieces will add to it._________________Wow, that was fun, let's do it again!! (Donkey in "Shrek")
take a look at my collection: My album list

I really hope that this petition will work..._________________Human beings are divided into mind and body. The mind embraces all the nobler aspirations, like poetry and philosophy, but the body has all the fun - Woody Allen

Dutchbat
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)

Joined: Aug 09, 2008
Member#: 22196
Posts: 1730
Location: Roosendaal

Posted:
Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:02 pm Post subject:

Some slightlly possitive news is sipping through from Krakow.
Although nothing is definite yet there were talks with a sponsoring company to have at least one concert organised.
As soon as I know more I let you know._________________Wow, that was fun, let's do it again!! (Donkey in "Shrek")
take a look at my collection: My album list

pointfrost
Ensign

Joined: Jun 24, 2009
Member#: 25992
Posts: 21
Location: Olomouc

Posted:
Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:46 pm Post subject: FMF Krakow

Hi everybody,

I hoped that I will find some informations about ticket ordering and now I read that FMF will not take place this year ? That is very bad joke
I am incredibly excited about coming this year too !

Hey pointfrost! I think we still should have a good hope that we will meet in Kraków this year. Great to see you at SST again._________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
---
Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

There were two decisions made about Kraków 2012 city budget during the session of City Council yesterday. I haven't found what exactly they did decide, yet (I'm not even sure if it was festival related at all), but will let you know as soon as I find more news on that.

EDIT: Yeah! Changes to the budget were related to festivals!
KBF's budget has been boosted by 3,5 million PLN. KBF's boss says "nearly all" festivals planned for 2012 will be organized. In another press article they say there is a "light at the end of the tunnel" for Film Music Festival, since some more support from regional sources is also expected for FMF.

That's good news for sure, but still costs of all festivals will be reduced (up to 30%). Izabela Helbin from KBF promises that artistic value (level) will not decrease, though.

Good news. Pity they probably could make some damage to festival image already. But I suppose that's what you get when politics (local politics in this case) show up in the background.

But I still believe we all will meet in Kraków and that is what maters most! Yeah!_________________"The piano keys
Are black and white
But they sound like a million colours in your mind"
(from Spider's Web by Katie Melua)
---
Avatar is from work of art by Drew Struzan

Is anything known of the organizers of the FMF in Krakow?
Is Dutchbat or someone in contact with Robert Piaskowski?
Last year at this time we already knew the program.
No program - bad news ..._________________Human beings are divided into mind and body. The mind embraces all the nobler aspirations, like poetry and philosophy, but the body has all the fun - Woody Allen

Dutchbat
Rear Admiral (Ambassador)

Joined: Aug 09, 2008
Member#: 22196
Posts: 1730
Location: Roosendaal

Posted:
Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:36 am Post subject:

Yes, I'm in direct contact with Robert and Agata from KBF concerning the festival.
As soon as anything is definitive a program will be announced and I'll forward it here asap.
As Mol already mentioned damage will be done to the image of the festival but I assured that SST will be standing firm in our support of FMF in any form._________________Wow, that was fun, let's do it again!! (Donkey in "Shrek")
take a look at my collection: My album list